BE PERFECT

by Dottie Parish

These red words in Scripture challenge many Christians - as well they should. This is a command! Jesus says:

Matthew 5:48 

Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect. NIV

Matthew 5:48 

What I’m saying is, grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live out of your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you. The Message

BE PERFECT?

Father,

I’ve been trying to “be perfect” all my life. I know I have to give up my wish for perfection as that’s not possible and not what you mean by “be perfect.”  Rather you mean be loving - as You are loving. Perfect means being whole, complete, or mature in the faith.

I have mixed feelings about The Message’s injunction to grow up! I like its directness and the fact that we must grow, but I don’t think this means we should “stuff” our feelings and never have a meltdown. This leads to denial of issues we need to face. Facing our issues keeps us growing.

On the other hand it’s hard to let go of childish things (such as a “pity party” or self-centeredness) and move on to the solid maturity of an adult believer. You said, “My food is to do the will of my father.” (John 4:34 NIV) We must chew on the Word and let it mature us. Then we will do Your will. Help me make Your Word and Your will my food also. Help me be humble and loving in all I do and say. 

Blessings, Dottie

Our Knowledge is Incomplete

1 Corinthians 13:9-10 “For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.”

The Message puts it this way: “We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be cancelled.”

Our knowledge in all areas – physical, mental, emotional, creation, science, life, relationships, spiritual, heavens and earth – our knowledge is limited – even with high-powered computers, advanced degrees, Mensa IQs and all the Scripture – all is limited. We do know some things and we can predict some things with some accuracy. But we can’t even predict the weather! What we know about God is certainly incomplete – as his ways are not our ways. He is beyond us. Our minds can’t grasp a complete knowledge of our great God.

But when perfection comes – the imperfect disappears – when Complete arrives our incompleteness will be cancelled. What a promise! When LOVE comes our loveless-ness vanishes. 

Is this about end-times? Come quickly, Lord. We need you – our sorry, hurting world, our sin-sick, love-starved world needs you.